Robin,

I’ve hosted 8 annual exchanges, except for 2006 when my kitchen was under construction and that year I put together a handmade recipe booklet for each guest and baked each recipe and hand delivered packages since I was not able to “host” the party with the construction.

The next year I tried a cocktails and cookies exchange, everyone had to bring their packaged cookies along with a cocktail to share that evening, it had to coordinate with the cookie they selected – lots of fun but lots of drink mixing not so fun the next day.

So I have reverted back to my standard brunch – which if my friends new I was calling it standard they be upset, it is if I say so myself and outstanding event that my friends have truly come to adore. Attached are photos from last year. Every year I have my guests bring their cookies prepackage in one dozen quantities, enough for the number of guests invited – they earn prizes for best packaging.

One guest who is a part time professional photographer stages the package cookies on my landing staircase and photos them each year.

Thanks for creating your website, I’ve been an avid visitor since the beginning.

Happy baking,
Rita